Trains in Italy
Train travel in Italy – train tickets, top routes and destinations
The aim of this guide is to give anyone considering traveling by train in Italy a solid understanding of rail travel in the country. We’ve covered the basics, including the types of Italian train tickets available and how to book them online with us, so that anyone who reads this page from beginning to end can travel by train in Italy with confidence.
This information is intended for anyone and everyone – not just rail geeks! Planning a holiday with the family? Check out our Top Destinations section. Student on an Erasmus year? Learn what discounts are available with railcards and loyalty cards. Business traveler? See what Business Class looks like in our Train Classes section. While the best way to learn is by experiencing Italian trains for yourself, reading this guide from beginning to end is a pretty good place to start.
Here's a quick summary of what’s below – simply click on one of the topics you’re most interested in to jump straight to the relevant section. Plan your journey ahead and book your Italy train tickets with us.
What's in this guide?
Italy train tickets
There are three types of train tickets in Italy – the cheapest, the semi-flexible and the most flexible one. We’ve broken down the different ticket types for you below.
Buying Italian train tickets in advance
You can buy your train tickets in advance if you’re traveling on an Intercity or high-speed train in Italy (e.g. Frecciarossa, Italo, Frecciargento) for routes like Rome to Florence, Milan to Rome or Milan to Venice and want to save money. In general, the earlier you book, the more you’ll save – the cheapest ticket fares tend to sell out much faster than the more expensive ones, plus these trains require a seat reservation, so make sure you book in advance before all seats are filled up.
You can book in advance one of the tickets below, depending on the train you’ll be boarding:
- Super Economy – it’s the cheapest fare to travel on all Trenitalia trains except for the regional ones and can’t be exchanged nor refunded
- Economy (Trenitalia) – still quite cheap and is valid to travel on all Frecce and Intercity trains. You can modify your booking only once
- Low Cost – this is the cheapest option to travel on all Italo trains. It allows you to change your travel date or time but at the cost of half of your ticket price plus the difference of the new ticket
- Economy (Italo) – still a cheap option, but it allows you to change or cancel your ticket at a lower price than the Low Cost fare.
Buying Italian train tickets on the day
You can buy tickets on the day for the regional trains operated by Trenitalia. The ticket price is fixed so there’s no price advantage when you book them in advance. The ticket fare is called Ordinaria and its price is based on the distance between the departure and arrival points and the class you travel on, when available.
For example, a one-way ticket to travel on the Leonardo Express – the regional train which connects Roma Termini to Rome Fiumicino Airport – always costs €14. For this reason, you don’t need to book your Ordinaria ticket too far in advance, unless you want peace of mind.
Buying flexible train tickets in Italy
If you’re not 100% sure about your travel date and time and don’t mind spending a little more, you can buy one of the following train tickets:
- Base – this Trenitalia ticket allows you to delay your day of departure for one or more days – perfect if you're enjoying the city you're in and you decide last-minute to extend your stay. Indeed, you can change this ticket as much as you want to travel on Le Frecce and Intercity trains
- Flex – it’s Italo’s most flexible and expensive ticket fare, you can make changes to your booking as many times as you want at no extra cost.
Whatever type of ticket you want, you can buy them with Trainline - check out our guide to buying train tickets for Italy for more details.
How to book Italy train tickets online
Have a look at our step-by-step guide to how to book Italian train tickets online with us, it’s super simple!
- Enter your departure and arrival stations of choice into either our App (see screenshots) or Journey Planner at the top of the page. If you don't know the station name, you can also search by city
- Enter the date you’d like to depart (and return if you're buying a return ticket), along with any relevant Railcards/Loyalty cards you have and number of passengers
- If you're looking for tickets on our website, hit Search times and prices if you're on our app hit Find times and prices to start your search
- Choose a train time and Class option from our search results. Once you’re happy with your choice, continue to choose your seat preference
- On web, enter an email to send your ticket confirmation to, along with the full name of each passenger you’re booking tickets for (the name must match their IDs)
- Continue to the checkout and book your tickets!
Finding cheap train tickets
Want to know how to save money when buying your train tickets? Read our guide to cheap train tickets in Italy, including when the best time to buy is and other savings tips.
Italy train passes
What’s the difference between an Eurail Pass and a Interrail Pass?
There are two types of rail pass you can use to travel around Italy: the Eurail Pass, which is only available for non-European citizens, and the Interrail Pass, which is for European citizens. Both passes allow unlimited travel within one country (One Country Pass) or multiple countries (Global Pass).
For more information, check out our dedicated pages to the Eurail Pass and the Interrail Pass.
Which train can I take with an Eurail or Interrail Pass?
You can travel with a Eurail or Interrail Pass on Trenitalia, Trenord, and Leonardo Express (only if you have a First Class Pass). You can also get discounted fares on different ferries, including Grimaldi Lines, Superfast Ferries, Blue Star Ferries, and Minoan Lines.
Remember that you need to book your seat at an additional cost if you’re traveling on a high-speed or night train.
Should I buy a Eurail/Interrail Pass or individual train tickets in Italy?
Trains in Italy are cheap compared with other countries in Europe. Therefore, a Eurail or Interrail Pass might be worth only if you plan to visit several cities and are going to travel on many more expensive high-speed trains. You may also save money if you’re under 27 as these rail passes offer discounts of up to 25% on unlimited train travel in both First and Second Class.
Where should I go with a Eurail or Interrail Pass?
Check out our foodie tour of Northern Italy with a Eurail Pass, or take a look at the "Superloop" of Europe for more travel inspiration.
Italy train map
Just a glance at our Italy train map will show you how easy it is to get around by rail. You could wake up in Milan and enjoy a traditional pastry for breakfast, and, before you know it, be in Rome in time for lunch and some sightseeing. You could even plan a train trip all the way from Paris to Rome - no planes needed! Hungry for more planning info? Check out our European packing list and our top 3 tips for planning your first trip around Europe.
High-speed - Red routes
Cross-border - Blue routes
Regional - Green routes
The Italian train network is so extensive and modern that it connects all the major cities, so you can easily travel to and around the country. The main trains in Italy are operated by Trenitalia, Italo and Trenord, which provide high-speed and regional trains.
Choose any route in the map above and follow the links to see ticket prices and journey times, you’ll also be able to see which routes have high-speed trains (they're in red).
Staying in France, Switzerland or Germany and want to continue your train journey in Italy? We've got you covered. Our map also shows you the most popular routes between Italy and the neighboring countries (they're in blue).
High-speed to maximize your time sightseeing or regional trains to maximize your savings? The choice is yours.
Train companies in Italy
Train travel in Italy involves traveling on one of the most extensive and sophisticated high-speed networks in the world. For journeys within Italy, there are three main train operating companies – Trenitalia, Italo and Trenord. For cross-border trips into France, you’ll find yourself on TGV trains. This section will give you an overview of each company, including which routes they operate on and the train types they use.
Trenitalia
- Main train operator in Italy
- High-speed and regional trains
- Airport transfers
Trenitalia is the main operator of rail services in Italy, formed by the Italian government and entirely state-owned. The types of trains that Trenitalia run can be split broadly into two categories – high-speed trains and regional trains. High-speed trains – known as ‘Le Frecce’ services in Italy – connect the country’s major cities at speeds of up to 300 km/h (186 mph), alleviating the need to drive or fly across the country for intercity travel. Regional services are slower and make more stops at regional stations.
Trenitalia tickets
There are four different types of Trenitalia tickets – Super Economy, Economy, Base and Ordinaria. While the Super Economy, Economy and Base tickets are available to travel in all classes on both high-speed and Intercity trains, the Ordinaria fare is only valid on regional trains. Find out more about Trenitalia trains.
Italo
- High-speed trains only
- Run exclusively on Milan to Salerno and Turin to Venice routes
Italo is the name given to the trains run by the private train operating company NTV. Starting service in 2012, Italo trains were designed to compete with Trenitalia in the high-speed rail market. As such, Italo runs exclusively on high-speed routes from Milan to Salerno and from Turin to Venice. They compete with Trenitalia’s flagship high-speed trains for speed and comfort. When you book your tickets, we’ll show you Italo and Trenitalia trains to help you decide.
Italo tickets
Italo offers three ticket fares – Low Cost, Economy and Flex. With these tickets you can travel in all classes (Smart, Prima and Club Executive) at any date and time. Ticket prices may vary based on the class, travel date and number of seats available. Learn more about Italo trains.
Trenord
- Regional trains
- Run in Lombardy and between Lombardy and Switzerland
Established by Trenitalia and Ferrovie Nord Milano (FNM), Trenord run suburban and regional trains in Lombardy – including the Malpensa Express connecting Milan to Milan Malpensa Airport – and from Lombardy to Ticino, the Italian-speaking region in Switzerland. From Milan, you can easily reach the other towns in the region, as well as Chiasso, Bellinzona, Mendrisio and Lugano in Switzerland.
Trenord tickets
As with all regional trains in Italy, Trenord also offer the Ordinaria fare, which has a fixed price based on the distance between origin and destination, and on the class. In the area of Milan and Monza Brianza (or STIBM area), the price is based on the number of zones you’re traveling to, a bit like the London underground system works. Learn more about Trenord trains.
ÖBB
- High-speed and night trains
- Operate between Italy, Germany, and Austria
ÖBB is Austria's state-owned railway company and operates different services between Austria and Italy and Germany and Italy, including the high-speed Railjet and Intercity-Express, and the Nightjet sleeper service. Popular ÖBB routes include Vienna to Milan and Munich to Milan.
ÖBB tickets
ÖBB offers four ticket fares: Standard-Ticket, Komfort-Ticket, Sparschiene Komfort-Ticket and Einfach-Raus-Ticket. The Standard-Ticket is the most flexible ticket type – you're free to take any train within your two-day window of travel. The Komfort-Ticket and the Sparschiene Komfort-Ticket are only available to travel on night trains, while the Einfach-Raus-Ticket is a group ticket for groups of 2-5 people traveling on regional trains.
Learn more about ÖBB trains.
TGV
- High-speed trains
- Connect Paris to Milan and Turin
Operated by the French national rail operator SNCF, the high-speed TGV train connects Paris to Milan and Turin three times a day, taking you from city center to city center through the scenic French Alps. This is an excellent and relaxing way to reach Italy from Paris, without having to worry about airport transfers or parking.
TGV tickets
There are 4 different types of TGV tickets: Prem’s, Seconde (Second Class), Première (First Class) and Business Première. While Prem’s tickets are the cheapest ones and are non-refundable and non-exchangeable, the other ticket types are refundable and exchangeable. Find out more about TGV trains.
Eurocity
- International routes between France, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Poland and Italy
- Connects major European cities
A slower form of international train travel than some of the others we’ve mentioned, Eurocity runs from Switzerland, Germany and Austria to Italy. Popular Eurocity routes include Zurich to Milan (3h 44m), Geneva to Milan (4h 56m), Munich to Verona (5h 25m) and Innsbruck to Bolzano (1h 58m).
Eurocity tickets
Eurocity tickets are usually available to buy up to six months before the departure date. If you want to snap up the cheapest fares, make sure you buy your ticket in advance as they tend to sell out quickly. Seat reservations are not always compulsory on Eurocity trains, but we recommend you book a seat when traveling on busier and more popular routes. Learn more about Eurocity trains.
Types of Italian trains
As mentioned earlier, there are three main train companies in Italy (Trenitalia, Trenord and Italo), which cover all domestic routes, and three rail operators (ÖBB, TGV and Eurocity), which operate on cross-border routes between France, Switzerland, Germany, Austria and Italy. While Trenitalia provides high-speed, Intercity and regional services all over the country, including airport transfers like the Leonardo Express and Malpensa Express, Italo mainly offers high-speed services from Milan to Salerno and from Turin to Venice. Keen to learn more about trains in Italy? Keep reading for more details about the different Italian train types, and the main routes they cover.
Frecciarossa
Trenitalia's Frecciarossa and Frecciarossa 1000 trains are some of the fastest trains in Italy and can reach speeds of up to 300 km/h (186 mph) and 400 km/h (248 mph) respectively.
Frecciarossa trains run along 4 routes in Italy:
- Turin - Milan - Reggio Emilia - Bologna - Florence - Rome - Naples - Salerno
- Milan - Reggio Emilia - Bologna - Rimini - Ancona - Pescara - Foggia - Bari - Lecce
- Venice - Padua - Florence - Rome - Naples - Salerno
- Milan - Brescia - Verona - Vincenza - Padua - Venice
Italo
The private Italian train company offers high-speed trains running at 360 km/h (223 mph).
Italo trains operate 4 lines in Italy:
- Turin - Milan - Reggio Emilia - Bologna - Florence - Rome - Naples - Salerno
- Turin - Milan - Reggio Emilia - Bologna - Rimini - Pesaro - Ancona
- Venice - Padua - Bologna - Florence - Rome - Naples - Salerno
- Verona - Bologna - Florence - Rome - Naples
Frecciargento
Frecciargento are the second-fastest type of the 'Frecce' trains, reaching top speeds of 250 km/h (160 mph).
Frecciargento trains run along 3 routes in Italy:
- Rome - Florence - Bologna - Padua - Venice - Trieste
- Rome - Caserta - Benevento - Foggia - Barletta - Bari - Brindisi - Lecce
- Naples - Rome - Florence - Bologna - Verona - Rovereto - Trento - Bolzano
Frecciabianca
Frecciabianca are the third-fastest type of the 'Frecce trains' and can reach speeds of up to 200 km/h (120 mph).
Frecciabianca trains serve 3 routes in Italy:
- Milan - Bologna - Rimini - Ancona - Pescara - Foggia - Bari - Lecce
- Venice - Padua - Bologna
- Rome - Naples - Salerno - Lamezia Terme - Reggio Calabria
Intercity
Operated by Trenitalia, Intercity trains connect more than 230 Italian cities that are not covered by high-speed trains, reaching speeds of up to 100 - 125 mph (160 - 200 km/h). Trenitalia’s Intercity trains serve the following routes:
- Turin - Milan - Genoa - Ventimiglia - Rome - Naples - Salerno
- Rome - Calabria - Sicily
- Milan/Bologna - Bari - Lecce - Taranto
Malpensa Express
The Malpensa Express is an airport transfer operated by Trenitalia which connects Milan city centre to Malpensa Airport.
Malpensa Express trains run along 2 routes in Italy:
- Milano Centrale Station - Malpensa Airport
- Milano Nord Cadorna - Malpensa Airport
Leonardo Express
The Leonardo Express is an airport transfer operated by Trenitalia which travels between Fiumicino Airport and Rome city center.
Leonardo Express trains cover the following route:
- Roma Termini - Fiumicino Airport
Cinque Terre Express
The Cinque Terre Express is a fast regional train operated by Trenitalia and connects the coastal towns of Cinque Terre.
Cinque Terre Express trains serve the following route:
- La Spezia - Riomaggiore - Manarola - Corniglia - Vernazza - Monterosso - Levanto
High speed vs regional trains – what's the difference?
Italy's rail network is made up of both high-speed lines and regional services. But what's the difference between the two? Learn more about each below.
High-speed trains
In broad terms, high-speed trains are for fast, city-to-city travel. Run by Trenitalia and Italo, high-speed trains run on special rail lines designed to facilitate speeds of up to 400 km/h. The main high-speed line runs north to south from Milan to Salerno, connecting major cities such as Milan, Bologna, Florence, Rome and Naples.
The high-speed rail fleet in Italy consists of Trenitalia’s Frecciarossa (“Red Arrow”), Frecciargento (“Silver Arrow”) and Frecciabianca (“White Arrow”) trains, each capable of traveling at 400 and 300 km/h, 250 km/h and 200 km/h respectively. Italo’s fleet includes its AGV and EVO trains, both capable of up to 360 km/h.
High-speed trains are more expensive than regional trains. There are usually three or four classes on high-speed trains, modern interiors, vending machines (occasionally a restaurant carriage) and WiFi. Tickets for high-speed services include a carriage number and seat reservation, meaning you will have to catch the exact train which you have booked. You can’t simply turn up and jump on the first train that arrives.
Regional trains
Regional trains are much slower, stopping much more frequently and serving smaller stations in towns and villages. They are run exclusively by Trenitalia. In the Lombardy region, regional trains are run by Trenord, a subsidiary of Trenitalia.
Tickets are cheaper for regional trains, but the onboard facilities are more basic. There is normally only one class and seat reservations are not mandatory, passengers sit where they want. The price of regional train tickets is fixed, so it will cost the same on the day as it will in advance. Your ticket can also be used for any train within a four-hour window. Whilst the quality of trains can vary quite wildly on regional trains, they are by far the cheapest rail option in Italy.
Air-conditioning is not always guaranteed on older regional trains. In hot weather, make sure you bring a bottle of water with you.
Italy train classes
We’ve given you lots of information on Italian trains so far, but what are they actually like? What’s onboard? We can’t show you every train, but below you’ll get a flavor of the interiors of the main trains in Italy, including Trenitalia’s and Italo’s high-speed trains. For more information on Trenitalia classes, check out our page on Trenitalia First Class vs Second Class.
Frecciarossa Standard
Travel in Frecciarossa Standard Class and enjoy the perks of the Italian high-speed train at a competitive price. Enjoy eco-leather reclining seats and free WiFi during your journey.
Best for
- Budget travelers
- Families
Find out more about Frecciarossa Standard.
Frecciarossa Premium
Save money while enjoying more comfortable and wider reclining seats than the Standard ones. Make your train journey even more pleasant with the welcome service offering complimentary drinks and snacks.
Best for
- Budget travelers
- Extra comfort
Find out more about Frecciarossa Premium.
Frecciarossa Business
If you need to work on the go, Frecciarossa Business is the right choice for you! Enjoy greater privacy thanks to the glass divider that separates each row – or if you wish to work undisturbed while traveling, pick the quiet carriage or Area del Silenzio.
Best for
- Business travelers
- Quiet travelers
- Extra privacy
Find out more about Frecciarossa Business.
Frecciarossa Executive
Make your train journey even more unique in Frecciarossa Executive. With only two wide leather seats per row separated far apart, reclining backrests and adjustable footrests, you’ll feel like you’re traveling in your own little world of comfort!
Best for
- Extra comfort
- Business travelers (onboard meeting room)
Find out more about Frecciarossa Executive (First Class).
Italo Smart (Standard Class)
Save money without missing out on the great service on board Italo Smart. Enjoy leather seats in rows of 2+2 with tables and plenty of legroom. There’s even a cinema carriage playing current movies, spicing those long trips up!
Best for
- Budget travelers
- Families
Italo Prima (First Class)
Enjoy wider and more comfortable leather armchairs in Italo Prima. All seats come with power sockets, a table, reading lights and a glove compartment in each carriage. You can also select the single-seat option if you feel like you need more privacy.
Best for
- Extra comfort
Bikes on trains in Italy
Disassembled bikes
As in most European countries, you can take your bike on any Italian train if it can be disassembled, put in a case and stored in the luggage storage area and its dimensions are not more than 80 x 110 x 45 cm (31.4 x 43.3 x 17.7 inches). If your bike can be disassembled, you can bring it along with you free of charge because it's treated as any other piece of luggage.
Full-size bikes
If your bike can’t be disassembled, you can take it with you only on regional trains that have a bike icon listed on their timetable. You’ll need to buy a ticket for your bike.
On international trains
You can travel with your bike on board some Eurocity trains connecting Venice and Milan to Geneva, Basel to Milan and Zurich to Milan, as well as some day trains from Germany and Austria to Italy. You’ll need to book a space for your bike before your departure.
You’re not allowed to take your bike on night trains from Germany and Austria to Italy.
Loyalty cards and offers for Italian trains
There are loads of ways to save money on train travel in Italy. Each Italian train company offers a variety of deals and discount cards for rail travel on their services. Whether you're traveling as a family, a group or on a budget, we've found the available discounts and loyalty cards for you.
Trenitalia return discounts
- Special A/R in giornata: Get up to 70% discount off your same day return ticket if you travel with Frecciarossa, Frecciabianca or Frecciargento on a Saturday.
- A/R Frecce in settimana: Get up to 50% off if you book a return ticket traveling from Monday to Friday of the same week with Frecciarossa or Frecciargento.
- A/R weekend: Get up to 40% off if you travel with Intercity trains on Saturday and return on Sunday.
- A/R in giornata: Get fixed prices when traveling with Le Frecce trains coming back on the same day. Fixed prices start from €34.50 in Second Class.
- CartaFRECCIA: Accumulate points and purchase discounted tickets to travel on Trenitalia trains, as well as get free access to lounges.
Italo return discounts
- A/R in giornata with Italo: Get a 50% discount off your day return ticket when traveling with Italo trains.
- A/R Milano - Roma with Italo: €49.90 for a day return ticket when traveling from Milan to Rome.
- A/R magic: Get up to 60% off return tickets from Monday to Thursday
- Italo Più: with this loyalty card, you can accumulate points and buy discounted tickets to travel on Italo trains, as well as get free access to Italo Club Lounge.
Youth
- Offerta Young with Trenitalia: If you’re under 30 and have Trenitalia's CARTAFRECCIA loyalty card, you'll get up to 70% off Frecciabianca and Intercity Day and Night trains (not including Excelsior class).
- FrecciaYOUNG with Trenitalia: If you're under 30, you can travel on Frecciarossa and Frecciargento trains for €19 or €29 depending on the route. Only valid on Standard / Second Class tickets.
- Carta Verde with Trenitalia: You can use this discount card if you’re aged between 12 and 25 years old. It costs €40 per year and it allows you to get a 10% discount on the Base fare to travel on all national trains, including couchette and bed-cabin, as well as Frecciarossa Business, Premium and Standard classes.
- Giovani with Italo: Under 30s can get up to 70% off in Smart class.
Families
- Bimbi Gratis with Trenitalia: On Intercity trains, children under the age of 15 travel for free and adults get 40% off the Base fare.
- Ragazzi with Trenitalia: Children under 4 can travel for free if a seat is not assigned to them. If they do have a seat, they can get 50% off Base tickets. Also, travelers aged between 4 and 4 get 30% or 50% off on all trains.
- Famiglia with Trenitalia: For groups from 2 to 5 people with at least one adult and one traveler aged less than 15. Valid on Intercity night trains only. Kids under 15 get 50% off (or 30% if they travel in cuccette comfort or deluxe carriage) and adults traveling with them get 20% off.
- Italo Famiglia: Children up to 14 years old travel for free in Smart class and the rest of the family (2 to 4 people) travel with a Flex ticket
- Bambini Gratis with Italo: Children under the age of 3 travel for free with a family of up to 4 people if a seat is not assigned to them. Adults get up to 50% off in Smart class.
Seniors
- Italo Senior: Get up to 60% discount when you buy the Flex fare in Prima Class if you’re over 60
- Offerta Senior with Trenitalia: With this offer, you can get up to 50% off the Base fare if you’re over 60 and travel on Frecce, Intercity Day and Night trains
- Carta Argento with Trenitalia: You can use this discount card if you’re over 60. It costs €30 per year or free if you're over 75. It gives you 10% off bed compartments on night trains and a 15% discount on the Base fare to travel on all national trains, including couchette and bed-cabin, as well as Frecciarossa Business, Premium and Standard Classes.
Travelers with disabilities
- Carta Blu with Trenitalia: You can buy one Base ticket for both the person with the disability and their caretaker to travel on all Intercity and Frecce trains. Travelers with disabilities will need to show a photo of evidence of eligibility to get this discount card.
Popular train routes in Italy
Are you looking for inspiration for your next train journey in Italy? Click on one of our most popular Italian train routes below and check train times and other useful information to plan your journey in advance.
| Route | Journey time | Distance | Trains per day |
| Rome to Florence by train | 1h 12m | 232 km | 49 |
| Rome to Naples by train | 55m | 189 km | 41 |
| Rome to Venice by train | 3h 21m | 394 km | 21 |
| Milan to Rome by train | 2h 56m | 477 km | 43 |
| Milan to Florence by train | 1h 40m | 249km | 21 |
Trenitalia summer train times
Hey, all ready for summer? 🌞 Yes, you read it right: we said summer! Trenitalia have released the summer timetables for their Frecce trains, so it's time to put your holiday plans in motion! It's the perfect time to book tickets and save. What are you waiting for? Choose your destination and set off on an unforgettable adventure in Italy!
Here are some of the Trenitalia summer train times: tickets are already available for purchase on Trainline, for travel from June 9th, 2024.
|
Number |
From |
Departure |
To |
Arrival |
|
8223 |
FIUMICINO AIRP. |
21:53 |
NAPOLI CENTRALE |
23:56 |
|
8302 |
LECCE |
6:05 |
ROMA TERMINI |
11:55 |
|
9409 |
UDINE |
6:47 |
NAPOLI CENTRALE |
14:03 |
|
8333 |
ROMA TERMINI |
7:30 |
REGGIO CAL. C.LE |
12:50 |
|
8335 |
FIUMICINO AIRP. |
9:38 |
NAPOLI CENTRALE |
11:33 |
|
8343 |
ROMA TERMINI |
17:10 |
NAPOLI CENTRALE |
18:23 |
|
8348 |
BARI C.LE |
6:10 |
ROMA TERMINI |
10:03 |
|
8566 |
ROMA TERMINI |
13:05 |
FIUMICINO AIRP. |
13:37 |
|
9301 |
MANTOVA |
6:00 |
ROMA TERMINI |
9:35 |
Traveling around Italy by train
Traveling by train in Italy will take you on a journey of culture, history, architecture and endless scenery. The country has played an important role in European history for over a millennium and you can see that in every city you visit. With plenty of food and drinks on every corner, stunning cathedrals and works of art, Italy is a country that must be savored. Have a look at our recommended cities for what to see during your visit, and don't miss our guide on the best things to take with you on your train trip.
Rome
The capital of the country, and historically one of the most important cities in Europe, Rome has it all.
Visit the Colosseum to savor the history of the city that formed the bedrock of the Roman Empire. Head to the Vatican at noon on Sunday to catch a glimpse of Pope Francis while he’s giving the Angelus Prayer. And if you need a bit of luck, throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain and make a wish.
You can easily reach the capital by train from any Italian city thanks to the many high-speed and regional services provided by Trenitalia and Italo daily. If you’re flying to Fiumicino Airport, you can take the Leonardo Express – Trenitalia’s fast-regional train – and be in central Rome in about half an hour.
Main train stations
Airport transfers
Venice
Famous for its canals and Gothic architecture, Venice is perfect for a city break. Known the world over, taking a ride along the canals of Venice and passing under beautifully crafted bridges is the best way to take in the history and culture of the city.
To experience the vibrancy of the city, visit St Mark’s Square with its stunning Renaissance buildings, cafes and restaurants on all four sides. Whether it's the crab dish moleche or shrimp dish scampi alla veneziana, there's plenty of local food and drinks for you to enjoy. Just remember: if you're day-tripping here, there's a new tourist fee you'll have to pay in Venice.
You can easily get to Venice from the main Italian cities – Italo and Frecciarossa provide plenty of high-speed services to Venice every day.
Main train stations
Cinque Terre
The Cinque Terre consists of the towns of Manarola, Riomaggiore, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso al Mare, each of which is best reached by train.
Trenitalia provides a fast-regional service called Cinque Terre Express, which runs frequently between these colorful coastal towns.
During your visit, make sure you hike along the famous Via dell'Amore (‘Road of Love’), a hiking trail popular with climbers and trekkers all over the world – it seems almost carved into the hard rock of the Ligurian coast and winds along the rocky wall overlooking the sea.
Main train stations
Florence
A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most visited cities in Italy due to its rich history, art and culture, Florence is a must-see when traveling to Italy.
Getting off at Firenze Santa Maria Novella (Florence’s main train station), you’ll find all the main landmarks within walking distance - including some of the best churches in Florence. Visit Florence Cathedral, which is famous for its iconic brick dome, the largest of its type still built today. Have a walk along Ponte Vecchio and grab a souvenir from one of the local shops - or visit the best markets in Florence. If you love art, don’t forget to go to Galleria dell’Accademia, which hosts the world-renowned sculpture of David by Michelangelo.
If you’re flying to Italy, the best option to get to Florence is to fly to Pisa Airport and take the train – you'll be in the city center in about 90 minutes with one easy connection at Pisa Centrale.
Main train stations
How to get to the Amalfi Coast, Pompeii and Sicily by train
If you plan to stay in Naples or Rome for a couple of days and are looking for a day trip, the Amalfi Coast, Pompeii and Sicily are the perfect destinations for you. Learn more about how to get there by train.
How to get to the Amalfi Coast by train
Planning to go to the Amalfi Coast and not sure how to get there? Vietri sul Mare is the only city on the Amalfi Coast that has a train station, so you can take a regional train from Naples or Salerno and then get to the rest of the coastal towns by bus – the service is operated by SITA SUD and takes you to Cetara, Maiori (Erchie), Maiori Centro, Minori, Atrani and Amalfi. A one-way ticket to any of these towns costs €2. If you want to get to Sorrento, you can take the Circumvesuviana train from Naples – the journey time is about an hour. From Sorrento you can also get a SITA SUD bus to Positano - perfect if you want to see the beach where they filmed parts of Under the Tuscan Sun. And if just the thought of all that sightseeing makes you tired, check out our round up of the Amalfi Coast's best hotels.
Buy train tickets to the Amalfi Coast
Main train station
How to get to Pompeii by train
If you're traveling from Naples, you can either take the Circumvesuviana train to Pompei Scavi station or the Trenitalia train to Pompei station – the difference being that the Circumvesuviana train takes you right next to Pompeii's ruins and is an older train, while Trenitalia's regional train is a newer service and can be pretty empty even in the tourist season. Check out our handy guide to traveling from Naples to Pompei for more details.
If you're traveling from Rome, instead, you can take Italo, Frecciarossa or Frecciabianca from Roma Termini, stop in Napoli Centrale and continue your journey towards Pompeii.
Main train station
How to get to Sicily by train
The train is a unique and wonderful way to reach Sicily, an experience you wouldn’t want to miss. There are two types of Intercity trains that travel to Sicily:
- Intercity day trains, which connect Rome and Naples to Palermo, Catania, Syracuse
- Intercity night trains, which run from Milan, Rome and Naples to Palermo, Catania and Syracuse
All these trains are shunted onto a ferry at Villa San Giovanni that will cross the Straits of Messina in about half an hour. After the train is secured in the ship’s hold, steps are added next to the train doors – you can either remain on the train or get off and walk upstairs to the deck and take some fresh sea air.
Once you arrive in Messina, the train will take you all the way to Palermo, Sicily’s capital city, which means that you can travel direct by train from as far as Rome to Palermo – the journey can be quite long (about 11h), but the stunning views over the Italian coast are definitely worth it!
Main train stations
The Italian phrases you should know
Know your buongiorno’s from your arrivederci’s? Then you’re off to a good start! For your trip to Italy, we thought it might be a good idea to help you brush up a little further so that you never have to get into any difficulty while traveling. See some of the most common and useful-to-know phrases in Italian below!
Basics
Hello/Goodbye – Ciao (Chow)
Good morning – Buongiorno (Bwon-jawr-no)
Good evening – Buonasera (Bwona-say-ra)
Thank you – Grazie (Gra-zee-a)
Please – Per favore (Pair fav-aw-ra)
Excuse me – Mi scusi (Me scoo-see)
Useful phrases for traveling by train
Where is my train? – Dov'è il mio treno? (Doh-vay eel me-oh treh-noh)
Where are the toilets? – Dove sono i bagni? (Doh-vay soh-noh ee bahn-yee)
Where is the main train station? – Dov'è la stazione centrale? (Doh-vay lah stah-zee-oh-neh chen-trah-lay)
Where is the baggage check area? – Dov'è il deposito bagagli? (Doh-vay eel deh-pah-zee-toh bah-gahl-yee)
Do you speak English? – Parli inglese? (Pahr-lee eng-lah-sah)
I don't speak Italian – Non parlo italiano (Non pahr-loh ee-ta-lya-noh)
Frequently Asked Questions
Wondering how much in advance you can buy Italian train tickets or how much luggage you can take aboard Italian trains? We've answered some of the most frequently asked questions about train travel in Italy, so you can find the answer you're looking for easily.
Buying train tickets
Can I get train tickets on my phone?
How can I validate train tickets in Italy?
Do children pay for trains in Italy?
How much in advance can I buy train tickets?
On the train
Do I need a seat reservation?
How much luggage can I take on Italian trains?
Are there toilets on trains?
Are dogs allowed on board?
Is there WiFi on trains in Italy?
Miscellaneous
Are trains in Italy safe?
How fast is a high-speed train in Italy?
What is an Intercity train in Italy?
What is Eurostar Italia?
What happens if you miss your train in Italy?
What happened to Thello trains?
Italy itineraries by train
In need of some inspiration for your trip? Our Italy travel inspiration hub is full of itineraries, travel tips, destinations to visit and things to do. We've highlighted some of our most popular articles below.
Learn more about Italian train travel
So, you've reached the end of our guide to traveling in and around Italy by train. We've covered the types of train you can travel on, their classes and who operates them. You should now also know how to buy Italian train tickets and which ones are the best for your budget.
We've shown you must-visit destinations, popular routes and even a few handy Italian phrases to help you along the way!
If you feel ready to book, why not start a search in our Journey Planner at the top of the page? If not, we've got plenty more travel guides to inspire your travel in Italy and beyond.